Teacher Apps Stick Pick By Buzz Garwood Description Pick a student at random just by giving your device a shake or tapping the screen -- but that’s just the beginning. Stick Pick suggests question starters for learners at different levels and also records how well students respond during classroom discussions. If a student is consistently scoring near the top or bottom, simply change the level so students aren't bored or frustrated. Depending on students' levels of English proficiency, they might be asked simple yes-or-no questions or to elaborate in longer sentences. For class - This app would be extremely useful in a world language classroom since one of its capabilities is tracking participation. I like the idea of sentence starters and it provides questioning prompts based on Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Description - WordReference.com English-French dictionary For class – I would use this app as a replacement for our regular dictionaries. The nice part about this app is that it gives an extensive list of usages for a word, which helps students find the translation that best fits their needs. French Verb Conjugator By Ian Tipton
Description View almost 700 French verbs in 17 tenses. With simple navigation and built in search, you can find the verb you need in seconds. For class – Students seem to get bogged down with conjugating verbs. For the purpose of creative writing, this app would give students the capability of writing at more than a third grade level. gFlashPro - Flashcards & Tests By gWhiz, LLC Description Our new improved version of gFlashPro is here, and we think it's the best flashcard app around! Learn anything from chemistry to ancient history, study for a professional certification, or take a minute to relax and enjoy some trivia, anywhere and anytime. For class – I would use this app to create flashcards for our units.
Fotopedia Paris By Fotonauts Inc. Description A Paris vacation on your iPhone or iPad.Explore Paris your way with:•More than 4,000 spectacular photos•Virtual Trips to the most popular places as well as the unexpected •Trip Builder to create your own, easy-to-build personalized tours•Complete Navigation with smart tags, search and interactive maps•Shuffle or shake your device to discover new spots and images•Rich Text Descriptions•Social Media and share your favorites via email, Facebook and Twitter•Instant Slideshows and Wallpapers for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch For class – In French 2, we do an in-depth unit on Paris. Students have to create a tour itinerary of Paris and its monuments. This app makes Paris come alive and would help foster a similar excitement and wonder when it comes to a unit of study. Paris Metro for iPad
By Presselite Description Paris Metro for iPad is a comprehensive guide to traveling through Paris. It includes subway maps. For class – This app would be used in conjunction with the Fotopedia Paris app. I teach students how to use the Paris Metro. This app includes maps and useful information for subway travel. Cram - Flashcards and multiple choice study tool By SimpleLeap Software, LLC Description Cram goes beyond the typical flash card app and helps you study for tests, quizzes, and class assignments by turning your study material into multiple-choice practice tests and digital flash cards. For class – This app is more ideal for students. I would like my students to use this app to help them study. Any time I can integrate technology, students seem more inclined to study.
By Stan Miasnikov Description WritePad is a unique text editing software that allows users to enter text utilizing advanced handwriting recognition software for cursive, print, or mixed handwriting styles on iPhone and iPod Touch devices. For class – This app would be useful for keeping my notes on performance assessments more organized and in one place. I wouldn’t have to worry about typing anything. French Sounds By Erasmos Inc Description The basic building blocks of any language are the word sounds (or 'phonemes'); get a good grasp on these and your language will have a solid base. This app is the best tool for the job. For class – This is another tool that would be more for my students than myself. I don’t like to spend too much time on perfect pronunciation in class, but it is important to language learning. This app would be a great extension beyond the classroom for my students. TeacherTool One By Udo Hilwerling Description TeacherTool One the by far most complex yet easy-to-use teacher's organization tool for iPhone and iPod Touch. For class – I teach four different preps, where one is a combination of three different levels. The classroom that I am in is occupied by two other teachers in the course of a day, so organization is a priority, but not always achieved. If this tool can help me be more organized and store more items in one location, I am a step closer to even more effective teaching. Personal Apps
Pandora Radio By Pandora Media, Inc. Description Pandora Radio is free personalized radio that only plays music you’ll love. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs or classical composers and Pandora will create a custom "station" that plays similar music.
My usage - Entertainment!
NOOK for iPad from Barnes & Noble-Read 2 Million Books, Free Books, Magazines & Newspapers By Barnes & Noble Description Start reading in seconds -- new users can create an account on BN.com. NOOK™ for iPad from Barnes & Noble offers an incredible reading experience for NOOK books, magazines and newspapers.
My usage - I already own a nook, but I figured that I would be able to purchase and view kids books with my children, who, by the way, covet "mommy's ice pack" in the words of my son.
**P****interest** By Cold Brew Labs Description Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place to catalog and share the things you love. Pin anything that catches your eye: memorable meals, places to visit, or great shopping finds.
My usage - I like to cook and craft. This app offers a variety of ideas for both, with a little bit of fun mixed in.
**Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List** By Condé Nast Digital Description Recipes from the award-winning food site Epicurious.com are now available on your iPhone and your iPad. Search more than 30,000 delicious, professionally created recipes from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Self, and renowned chefs and cookbooks. Save your favorite recipes, and sync your Favorites list in the app with your online Recipe Box at Epicurious.com. You can also create shopping lists, and e-mail recipes and shopping lists to yourself and friends. Plus, get access to authoritative recipe reviews from Epicurious members.
My usage - My husband and I both cook, so this app seemed like a no-brainer. I like to make a variety of foods and it is even more helpful when there are raitings associated with recipes. If three thousand people love a recipe, then how can it be bad?
craftgawker By gawkerverse Description Looking for arts and crafts ideas? Then the mobile companion to craftgawker.com is the perfect app for you. craftgawker is a photo gallery that allows you to visually search and discover handmade arts and crafts to inspire your own projects. We publish photography submitted by craft bloggers from around the world. Our editors review submissions daily and choose the highest quality, most creative images to showcase.
My usage - I am a crafter. This site displays images of handmade crafts and the links from where they came.
eBooks When deciding which books to download for my ipad, I decided to use the NOOK app. I already own a Nook, so it seemed the best choice for me. Any of the books I decide to download will appear on both my ipad and my nook. I had a hard time finding free books that I could use in my classroom, so I went with a piece of literature that I teach to my French 4/5 group, Le Petit Prince. The other book I downloaded was for a class in my master’s program that I will be taking this summer, The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need.
de Saint-Exupery, A. (2007). Le Petit Prince. Editions Gallimard. Fox, A. S., & Karsh, E. (2009). The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need. New York: Basic Books.
Podcasts
I have created my own podcasts to use in my class, but I was trying to figure out how I wanted to use a podcast that was already created. There were so many options on itunesU that I found myself spending a lot of time being amazed at all the resources out there, but I wasn’t sure how I would use them as part of a lesson. There is a wealth of supplemental information out there. I purchased some inexpensive MP3 players for my independent study students and have started to use more podcasts to enhance their language learning experience. Between creating podcasts of my lessons and viewing supplemental vidcasts, these students who are outside of the classroom are still able to listen to and learn French.
I finally settled on Yabla French as my vidcast. I really liked the authentic French that was spoken, along with the great pictures and useful, cultural information. In class, I used Yabla as part of the weekly lesson for my French 3, 4, & 5 classes. First, I played the vidcast for my students, but they could only listen to it. They had to write down anything they thought that they understood. Next, they moved into small groups and discussed what they thought. After that, I had the kids watch the vidcast and I covered up the English translation. Once again, they came together and discussed what they thought the person was talking about. As a class, we continued the discussion. I asked the kids questions behind their reasoning. Finally, we watched the video with the English translation. I am hoping to continue this practice to a point, where the students don’t even look at the English translation.
Stick Pick
By Buzz Garwood
Description
Pick a student at random just by giving your device a shake or tapping the screen -- but that’s just the beginning. Stick Pick suggests question starters for learners at different levels and also records how well students respond during classroom discussions. If a student is consistently scoring near the top or bottom, simply change the level so students aren't bored or frustrated. Depending on students' levels of English proficiency, they might be asked simple yes-or-no questions or to elaborate in longer sentences.
For class - This app would be extremely useful in a world language classroom since one of its capabilities is tracking participation. I like the idea of sentence starters and it provides questioning prompts based on Bloom’s Taxonomy.
WordReference.com French-English dictionary
By WordReference.com
Description - WordReference.com English-French dictionary
For class – I would use this app as a replacement for our regular dictionaries. The nice part about this app is that it gives an extensive list of usages for a word, which helps students find the translation that best fits their needs.
French Verb Conjugator
By Ian Tipton
Description
View almost 700 French verbs in 17 tenses. With simple navigation and built in search, you can find the verb you need in seconds.
For class – Students seem to get bogged down with conjugating verbs. For the purpose of creative writing, this app would give students the capability of writing at more than a third grade level.
gFlashPro - Flashcards & Tests
By gWhiz, LLC
Description
Our new improved version of gFlashPro is here, and we think it's the best flashcard app around! Learn anything from chemistry to ancient history, study for a professional certification, or take a minute to relax and enjoy some trivia, anywhere and anytime.
For class – I would use this app to create flashcards for our units.
Fotopedia Paris
By Fotonauts Inc.
Description
A Paris vacation on your iPhone or iPad.Explore Paris your way with:•More than 4,000 spectacular photos•Virtual Trips to the most popular places as well as the unexpected •Trip Builder to create your own, easy-to-build personalized tours•Complete Navigation with smart tags, search and interactive maps•Shuffle or shake your device to discover new spots and images•Rich Text Descriptions•Social Media and share your favorites via email, Facebook and Twitter•Instant Slideshows and Wallpapers for your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch
For class – In French 2, we do an in-depth unit on Paris. Students have to create a tour itinerary of Paris and its monuments. This app makes Paris come alive and would help foster a similar excitement and wonder when it comes to a unit of study.
Paris Metro for iPad
By Presselite
Description Paris Metro for iPad is a comprehensive guide to traveling through Paris. It includes subway maps.
For class – This app would be used in conjunction with the Fotopedia Paris app. I teach students how to use the Paris Metro. This app includes maps and useful information for subway travel.
Cram - Flashcards and multiple choice study tool
By SimpleLeap Software, LLC
Description Cram goes beyond the typical flash card app and helps you study for tests, quizzes, and class assignments by turning your study material into multiple-choice practice tests and digital flash cards.
For class – This app is more ideal for students. I would like my students to use this app to help them study. Any time I can integrate technology, students seem more inclined to study.
WritePad
By Stan MiasnikovDescription
WritePad is a unique text editing software that allows users to enter text utilizing advanced handwriting recognition software for cursive, print, or mixed handwriting styles on iPhone and iPod Touch devices.
For class – This app would be useful for keeping my notes on performance assessments more organized and in one place. I wouldn’t have to worry about typing anything.
French Sounds
By Erasmos Inc
Description The basic building blocks of any language are the word sounds (or 'phonemes'); get a good grasp on these and your language will have a solid base. This app is the best tool for the job.
For class – This is another tool that would be more for my students than myself. I don’t like to spend too much time on perfect pronunciation in class, but it is important to language learning. This app would be a great extension beyond the classroom for my students.
TeacherTool One
By Udo Hilwerling
Description
TeacherTool One the by far most complex yet easy-to-use teacher's organization tool for iPhone and iPod Touch.
For class – I teach four different preps, where one is a combination of three different levels. The classroom that I am in is occupied by two other teachers in the course of a day, so organization is a priority, but not always achieved. If this tool can help me be more organized and store more items in one location, I am a step closer to even more effective teaching.
Personal Apps
Pandora Radio
By Pandora Media, Inc.
Description
Pandora Radio is free personalized radio that only plays music you’ll love. Just start with the name of one of your favorite artists, songs or classical composers and Pandora will create a custom "station" that plays similar music.
My usage - Entertainment!
NOOK for iPad from Barnes & Noble-Read 2 Million Books, Free Books, Magazines & Newspapers
By Barnes & Noble
Description
Start reading in seconds -- new users can create an account on BN.com. NOOK™ for iPad from Barnes & Noble offers an incredible reading experience for NOOK books, magazines and newspapers.
My usage - I already own a nook, but I figured that I would be able to purchase and view kids books with my children, who, by the way, covet "mommy's ice pack" in the words of my son.
**P****interest**
By Cold Brew Labs
Description
Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place to catalog and share the things you love. Pin anything that catches your eye: memorable meals, places to visit, or great shopping finds.
My usage - I like to cook and craft. This app offers a variety of ideas for both, with a little bit of fun mixed in.
**Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List**
By Condé Nast Digital
Description Recipes from the award-winning food site Epicurious.com are now available on your iPhone and your iPad. Search more than 30,000 delicious, professionally created recipes from Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Self, and renowned chefs and cookbooks. Save your favorite recipes, and sync your Favorites list in the app with your online Recipe Box at Epicurious.com. You can also create shopping lists, and e-mail recipes and shopping lists to yourself and friends. Plus, get access to authoritative recipe reviews from Epicurious members.
My usage - My husband and I both cook, so this app seemed like a no-brainer. I like to make a variety of foods and it is even more helpful when there are raitings associated with recipes. If three thousand people love a recipe, then how can it be bad?
craftgawker
By gawkerverse
Description
Looking for arts and crafts ideas? Then the mobile companion to craftgawker.com is the perfect app for you. craftgawker is a photo gallery that allows you to visually search and discover handmade arts and crafts to inspire your own projects. We publish photography submitted by craft bloggers from around the world. Our editors review submissions daily and choose the highest quality, most creative images to showcase.
My usage - I am a crafter. This site displays images of handmade crafts and the links from where they came.
eBooks
When deciding which books to download for my ipad, I decided to use the NOOK app. I already own a Nook, so it seemed the best choice for me. Any of the books I decide to download will appear on both my ipad and my nook. I had a hard time finding free books that I could use in my classroom, so I went with a piece of literature that I teach to my French 4/5 group, Le Petit Prince. The other book I downloaded was for a class in my master’s program that I will be taking this summer, The Only Grant-Writing Book You’ll Ever Need.
de Saint-Exupery, A. (2007). Le Petit Prince. Editions Gallimard.
Fox, A. S., & Karsh, E. (2009). The Only Grant-Writing Book You'll Ever Need. New York: Basic Books.
Podcasts
I have created my own podcasts to use in my class, but I was trying to figure out how I wanted to use a podcast that was already created. There were so many options on itunesU that I found myself spending a lot of time being amazed at all the resources out there, but I wasn’t sure how I would use them as part of a lesson. There is a wealth of supplemental information out there. I purchased some inexpensive MP3 players for my independent study students and have started to use more podcasts to enhance their language learning experience. Between creating podcasts of my lessons and viewing supplemental vidcasts, these students who are outside of the classroom are still able to listen to and learn French.
I finally settled on Yabla French as my vidcast. I really liked the authentic French that was spoken, along with the great pictures and useful, cultural information. In class, I used Yabla as part of the weekly lesson for my French 3, 4, & 5 classes. First, I played the vidcast for my students, but they could only listen to it. They had to write down anything they thought that they understood. Next, they moved into small groups and discussed what they thought. After that, I had the kids watch the vidcast and I covered up the English translation. Once again, they came together and discussed what they thought the person was talking about. As a class, we continued the discussion. I asked the kids questions behind their reasoning. Finally, we watched the video with the English translation. I am hoping to continue this practice to a point, where the students don’t even look at the English translation.
Action Assignment #6A
Animoto
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